Title: Isabel: Jewel of Castilla, Spain, 1466
Author: Carolyn Meyer
First published January 1, 2000
205 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780439078054 (ISBN10: 0439078059)
Rating: 3.73
Overview
Isabel, a young and bright princess of Castilla, Spain, is eager to fulfill her destiny as the future queen. However, as she waits for others to choose a suitable husband for her, Isabel decides to keep a diary account of her life as a member of the royal family.
Through her personal writings, we get to know the trials and tribulations of a young girl coming of age in a world of political intrigue, betrayal, and war. Join Isabel on her journey to becoming one of the most powerful women in Spanish history, in this captivating historical novel by Carolyn Meyer.
About the Author
Meet Carolyn Meyer, a writer with an impressive range of work. She has written historical fiction and realistic novels for young adults, as well as nonfiction and books for younger readers on a variety of subjects.
Her topics range from the Amish to the Irish, Japanese to Yup’ik Eskimos, a rock band to rock tumbling, bread baking to coconuts. Ten of her books have even been recognized as Best Books for Young Adults by the American Library Association.
Meyer’s latest historical novels explore the early lives of Mary Tudor, Princess Elizabeth, Anastasia, and Isabel of Castilla, Spain.
Editoral Review
Isabel: Jewel of Castilla, Spain, 1466 by Carolyn Meyer is a historical fiction novel depicting the life of Queen Isabella of Castile, who was one of the most powerful women in Europe during the medieval period. First published in 2000, the novel explores the themes of royalty, power, love, loyalty, and faith.
Carolyn Meyer, the author of Isabel, is renowned for writing historical fiction novels that focus on strong female characters. Meyer has written over fifty novels, including Young Royals series, which is a collection of historical biographies of princesses and queens.
In Isabel, Meyer brings to life the world of medieval Spain, immersing readers in a time of war, political intrigue, and religious conflict. The novel tells the story of Isabella, who, as a young girl, is determined to reclaim her noble title and become the Queen of Castile.
Through a mesmerizing plot, Meyer showcases Isabella’s journey from a powerless princess to a formidable queen. The novel takes readers through Isabella’s childhood, her marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon, her struggle to establish her position as queen, and her battles against the Moors.
Meyer’s writing style is engaging and vivid, painting a colorful picture of medieval Spain. The novel is well-researched and historically accurate, offering readers an insight into the daily lives of medieval royalty and the political and sociocultural issues of the time.
Isabella’s character is beautifully portrayed, exhibiting both her strengths and vulnerabilities. Meyer does a brilliant job of depicting Isabella’s inner turmoil as she navigates the treacherous waters of politics and love.
The secondary characters are well-rounded and play significant roles in the plot development. Isabel offers an intriguing glimpse into the cultural and historical significance of medieval Spain.
Meyer provides readers with insights into the historical context of the era and the impact of religion on the political and social structures of the time. The only weakness of the novel is its pacing, which can be slow at times.
The plot is complex, and the story unfolds slowly, which may not appeal to readers looking for fast-paced reads. However, the slow pacing fits well with the genre and the author’s writing style.
Overall, Isabel: Jewel of Castilla, Spain, 1466 by Carolyn Meyer is an exceptional piece of historical fiction that will delight readers interested in European history, especially during the medieval period. This book is a must-read for scholars and enthusiasts of historical fiction.
The novel is genuinely inspiring, and Meyer’s writing style is captivating. I would give this book a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5.
